full moon

noun

1. the moon when the whole of its disk is illuminated, occurring when in opposition to the sun.
2. the phase of the moon at this time.

full moon

noun

1. one of the four phases of the moon, occurring when the earth lies between the sun and the moon so that the moon is visible as a fully illuminated disc
2. the moon in this phase
3. the time at which this occurs

full moon

/ fl /

1. The phase of the Moon in which it is visible as a fully illuminated disk. This phase occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth as the Sun and is not in Earth's shadow.
2. See more at moonCompare new moon

Word History and Origins

Origin of full moon¹

before 1000; Middle English ful moyne, Old English fulles monan

Example Sentences

For those lucky enough with clear moments of sky, make sure to look at the full moon and see Jupiter and Saturn accompanying it.

From Washington Post

If there are breaks in the clouds in the evening, the rising full moon will be accompanied by Jupiter and Saturn for a fabulous sight.

From Washington Post

If up early, look south and you should see the nearly full moon with Jupiter and Saturn.

From Washington Post

Supermoons can also be up to 30 percent brighter than typical full moons, according to NASA, which is why they seem so imposing.

From Popular-Science

Either way, the Strawberry Moon will be closer to us than the average full moon and will appear slightly larger.

From Popular-Science

He was sometimes afraid to go out of the house on the full moon.

From The Daily Beast

During a full moon, slaves are often required to labor until midnight.

From The Daily Beast

One full-moon night, a friend and I dragged our hotel bedding to the great stone heads, the moai, some 24 feet tall.

From The Daily Beast

She was preparing to leave, but then a full moon rose and she decided to stick around for a bit.

From The Daily Beast

It was a cold night in Iowa with a full moon at the ABC News/Drake debate.

From The Daily Beast

It was past sundown when they left San Bernardino, but a full moon made the night as good as day for their journey.

From Project Gutenberg

The spring-tides take place about the third or fourth day after new or full moon.

From Project Gutenberg

The sky was cloudless and the silver rays of a nearly full moon lit up the scene with an unearthly beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

If so, the fog was indeed yielding, and the full moon behind it would triumph before long.

From Project Gutenberg

The snow-covered Dent du Midi had a splendor like the face of the full moon when it is rising.

From Project Gutenberg